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Consultation on the future of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

9 October 2018

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Local people will have the chance to share their views on the proposed closure of St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Woodham Ferrers.

A public meeting is set to take place next Wednesday (17 October) at 7pm, where officers from Essex County Council, the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford and the school's Governing Body (IEB) will be available to discuss the proposal.

The proposal has been put forward in response to persistently low numbers of pupils attending the school, with indications that the number will drop even further over the coming years and increase the financial pressures the school is already under.

It is proposed the school would close from 31 August 2019, with pupils currently on the roll having a place made available at Collingwood Primary School in South Woodham Ferrers from September 2019. Transport would be provided from St Mary's to Collingwood in the morning and afternoon each day.

Parents would also have the option of applying for alternative schools and these requests will be considered in line with that individual schools' admissions policy and current number on roll. Support in applying for an alternative school place will be available for those who require it.

The consultation will run from Tuesday 9 October, 3pm until Tuesday 20 November. A decision will be made at the end of November 2018 on whether to publish a formal proposal to close the school.

The public meeting will be held at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Main Road, Woodham Ferrers, CM3 8RJ on Wednesday 17 October at 7pm.

The consultation document can be viewed on the Essex County Council website here.

The closing date for receipt of comments on the proposal is midday on Tuesday 20 November 2018.

More information on the proposal can be obtained by writing to the School Organisation Team, PO Box 4261, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GS or emailing school.organisation@essex.gov.uk